GS Paper
Topics for UPSC Prelims
National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary, Conservation Reserve, Community Reserve, Categorization of species under different Schedules, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), Project Tiger, Project Elephant, Landmark judgments related to the Act
Topics for UPSC Mains
Role and functions of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), Concept, significance, and management of wildlife corridors, Impact of the Act on biodiversity conservation
The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 is a crucial legislation enacted in India on 9 September 1972. It safeguards the diverse wildlife found within the country's borders. It serves as a framework for protecting, conserving, and managing wildlife. It aims to preserve natural habitats and ensure the well-being of wildlife species. The act prohibits the hunting, poaching, and trade of endangered species. It also promotes measures to combat illegal activities. The Wildlife Protection Act is vital in preserving India's wildlife heritage. It maintains ecological balance and fosters sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife.
In this article on the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 UPSC, we shall discuss in detail the major provisions of the act. It is a part of the Environment subject in the Mains General Studies Paper-III syllabus. It is also a part of the General Studies Paper-1 of the UPSC Prelims Syllabus.
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The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 is a crucial legislation in India that aims to protect and conserve wildlife and their habitats. It provides legal provisions for the prevention of hunting, poaching, and trade of endangered species. The Act includes various schedules that classify different species based on their level of protection and conservation status. It also establishes protected areas, permits the declaration of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, and regulates activities related to wildlife. The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 plays a crucial role in safeguarding India's rich biodiversity.
The initial legislation of this kind was introduced during the British Indian Government's rule in 1887, known as the Wild Birds Protection Act 1887. This law aimed to prohibit the possession and sale of specific wild birds killed or captured during their breeding season. A subsequent legal measure, the Wild Birds and Animals Protection Act, was passed in 1912. In 1935, this act was modified by introducing the Wild Birds and Animals Protection (Amendment) Act 1935. During the British Raj, wildlife preservation was not a prominent concern. It was not until 1960 that the issue of wildlife conservation and preventing certain species from becoming extinct gained significant attention.
The Wildlife Act of 1972 protects the country’s natural animals, birds, and plants to promote ecological and environmental security. This statute established hunting limitations for a variety of animal species. It also contains provisions relating to harvesting and various other relevant issues. It has six schedules, including a list of endangered species, a list of wild creatures posing a threat to human life, a list of animals designated as vermin, and a list of defined goods, plants, and possessions, among others, that span India. For violations of the laws included therein, various punishments have been established.
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India is the first country in the world to have incorporated provisions related to protecting and conserving wildlife and the environment in the Constitution. Following the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, commonly called the Stockholm Conference, in 1972, the Indian Government passed the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1976, through which articles pertaining to environmental protection were included in the Indian Constitution. The provisions of Wild Life Protection Act are as follows:
By the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, this article was added under the Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV). This article deals with the Protection and improvement of the environment and the safeguarding of forests and wildlife. It states, "The State shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.”
By the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, this article was added as the fundamental duty of Indian citizens. It states, "It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.
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All-in-One Pass For All Your ExamsHere are the salient features of Wildlife Protection Act 1972:
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The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 schedules and examples of species placed under each schedule are listed below:
Wildlife Protection Act 1972 schedules
Description of schedules of wildlife protection act 1972
Examples
Schedule I
Critically endangered species are placed under schedule 1 of Wildlife Protection Act.
Hunting, poaching, killing, and trading of wildlife species under this schedule are strictly prohibited.
Bengal tiger, Nilgiri tahr, blackbuck, cheetah, Andaman wild pig, green sea turtle, golden gecko, red panda, large falcons, great Indian bustard, great Indian hornbill, gharials, dugong, musk deer, etc.
Schedule II
The animals placed under this schedule are also highly protected.
Activities such as hunting, poaching, killing, and trading of these species are prohibited.
Assamese macaque, bonnet macaque, wild dog, pig-tailed macaque, Himalayan newtor salamander, common langur, civets, sloth bear, flying squirrels, king cobra, Himalayan black bear, jackal, mongooses, civets, red fox, rat snake, jungle cat, etc.
Schedule III
Though the species placed under this schedule are not endangered, they are protected from poaching, hunting, and trading.
Barking deer (muntjac), chital, hyaena, nilgai, sambar, gorals, wild pig, and all calcareans (sponges).
Schedule IV
Hunting, poaching, killing, and trading of wildlife species under schedule IV are also prohibited.
Hedgehog, geese, bulbuls, falcons, bustard quails, flamingos, ducks, flycatchers, pelicans, swans, woodpeckers, butterflies, moths, tortoises, cranes, doves, blue jays, etc.
Schedule V
The animal species which are considered vermin, i.e. the animals which carry disease-causing germs and are capable of destroying plants (food plants) are placed under this schedule.
Common crows, fruit bats, mice, and rats.
Schedule VI
Certain plant species are listed under this schedule.
Cultivation of the plants specified in this schedule can be carried out only by obtaining prior permission and license.
Possession, sale, and transportation of these 6 plant species are restricted.
Beddomes’ cycad, blue vanda, kuth, ladies slipper orchids, pitcher plant, and Red vanda.
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Here are the bodies established under the WPA 1972:
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The protected areas mentioned in the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 are discussed below:
The State Government can declare any area other than an area comprising any reserve forest or territorial waters as a sanctuary. For an area to be considered a sanctuary, it should have adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural, or zoological significance.
The Chief Wildlife Warden controls, manages, and maintains the sanctuaries. He is endowed with the power to take any steps necessary to protect sanctuaries and the wildlife therein. The Chief Wildlife Warden can grant permission to any person to enter or reside in the sanctuary for purposes such as photographing, scientific research, tourism, investigation, or study of wildlife. However, fees are prescribed to carry out such activities.
No person other than the public servant on duty, the person permitted by the CWLW, or the person passing through the sanctuary along the public highway can enter or reside in the sanctuary. The use of chemicals, explosives, or any other substances that may cause injury to the wildlife in the sanctuary is strictly prohibited. Activities such as setting fire or burning any fire in a sanctuary are prohibited. Weapons can be taken only with prior permission from the warden.
The State Government can declare any area that is of high ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural, or zoological significance can be declared as a national park. Even the areas within the sanctuary can be declared national parks. Destruction, exploitation, or removal of any wildlife (including forest produce) from the national parks is prohibited under the Act. Similarly, no person can destroy, damage, or divert the habitat of the species in the national park.
Removal of wildlife from the national parks and changing the inflow of water into and outside the national parks can be made only with the permission of the Chief Wildlife Warden, and the warden grants such permissions only after receiving acceptance from the concerned State Government. Grazing of any livestock is prohibited in the national park.
The State Government can declare any area owned by the government adjacent to national parks, sanctuaries, and those areas that serve as a link between one or more protected areas as conservation reserves after consultation with the local communities. It aims to protect the landscapes, seascapes, flora, fauna, and habitats in the above-mentioned areas. The State Government constitutes a management committee to assist and advise the Chief Wildlife Warden to conserve, manage, and maintain the conservation reserve.
When an individual or a community comes forward to volunteer to conserve wildlife and its habitat, then the State Government can declare any private or community land as a community reserve for protecting fauna, flora, and traditional values and practices. For an area to be declared a community reserve, the area should not be within a national park, sanctuary, or conservation reserve. The authority responsible for conserving, maintaining, and managing the community reserve is the community reserve management committee, which the respective State Governments constitute.
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Here are some of the key initiatives and measures implemented under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 to safeguard India's wildlife and natural habitats:
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